Earthquakes Youth Academy Update
On Break Until the New Year
The San Jose Earthquakes Youth Academy continues its winter break and will return to action on Jan. 21, 2012 against Santa Cruz Breakers.
Misc. Notes
Earthquakes Hold No. 6 Overall Pick in Upcoming MLS SuperDraft
The San Jose Earthquakes will be sixth on the board when the 2012 MLS SuperDraft gets underway in Kansas City on Jan. 12 (9 a.m. PT, ESPN2). The expansion Montreal Impact hold the No. 1 overall pick. This year’s draft has been reduced to two rounds. The Earthquakes have picked within the top-six in nine previous MLS drafts. The club’s last top-six pick was Ike Opara at No. 3 overall in 2010. San Jose has picked out of the No. 6 slot twice, selecting Luchi Gonzalez in 2002 and Todd Dunivant in 2003.
San Jose’s Technical Staff Heads to Ft. Lauderdale for MLS SuperDraft Player Combine
The club’s technical staff will be on hand for the 2012 MLS SuperDraft Player Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. from Jan. 6-10. The event will allow MLS teams to scout prospects ahead of the Jan. 12 draft. Players invited to the combine with local ties include: Patrick Sigler (Santa Rosa, Calif. / Cal Poly) and Mykell Bates (Roseville, Calif. / Santa Clara University).
Wondolowski Set to Join United States National Team Camp
For the second consecutive year, San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski will join the U.S. National Team for its January training camp. The camp will convene on Jan. 3 ahead of matches against Venezuela on Jan. 21 (7 p.m. PT, University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.) and Panama on Jan. 25 (Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City). Klinsmann is aiming to establish a player pool for 2014 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, which begins in August of 2012.
Wondolowski was a January camp participant in 2010. He wrapped up that session by earning a spot in the United States’ starting lineup for a friendly against Chile on Jan. 22 at the Home Depot Center, his first cap with the national team. The two-time leading MLS goal scorer also appeared in three matches for the U.S. during the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Earthquakes Sign Honduran International Victor Bernardez
The club announced its latest offseason acquisition last week, signing Honduran international defender Victor Bernardez pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC as well as a team administered physical. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Bernardez, 29, joins San Jose following three years with Belgian Pro League giant Anderlecht from January of 2009 through 2011. The hulking center back appeared in 22 games for the Purple and White, including three Europa League appearances. In 2011, he played in games for Lierse SK (Belgium) and Indios (Mexico) while on loan. The 6-foot-2 defender also appeared in seven games during Anderlecht’s Belgian Pro League championship season in 2009-10.
On the international stage, Bernardez has appeared in 52 games for Honduras. He played 90 minutes for Los Catrachos in a 0-0 tie against Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup. Bernardez played a key role in the build up to Honduras’ 2006 and 2010 World Cup qualifying, playing in 17 qualifiers while helping the squad to a 9-4-4 record over that time. In 2011, he started each of Honduras’ five games at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping his team reach the semifinals before bowing out 2-0 against eventual champion Mexico.
2012 Earthquakes Pre-Season Schedule
Players will report to camp on Jan. 16, 2012 in San Jose. The club will make three different pre-season trips: Tucson, Ariz. (Jan. 30-Feb. 4), Ventura, Calif. (Feb. 15-23) and Portland, Ore. (Feb. 26-March 5).
The Earthquakes will participate in a four-team round-robin tournament in Portland. All games will be held at JELD-WEN Field. Individual tickets for the tournament, which start at $10 per doubleheader session, go on sale Monday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. at the JELD-WEN Field box office and area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at (800) 745-3000. For participating teams and match schedule, see below:
Portland Preseason Tournament Schedule
Monday, Feb. 27
Chivas USA vs. AIK – 5 p.m.
San Jose vs. Portland – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 1
AIK vs. San Jose – 5 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Portland – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 4
San Jose vs. Chivas USA – 2:30 p.m.
AIK vs. Portland – 5 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes Preseason Schedule:
Jan. 15 – Report Date
Jan. 16-29 – San Jose, Calif. at Nutrilite Training Facility
Jan. 30-Feb. 4 – Tucson, Ariz. at Kino Sports Complex
Feb. 5-14 – San Jose, Calif. at Nutrilite Training Facility
Feb. 15-23 – Ventura, Calif. at Oxnard Community College
Feb. 24-26 – San Jose, Calif. at Nutrilite Training Facility
Feb. 26-March 5 – Training in Portland, Ore. (Matches on Feb 27, March 1, March 4)
March 10 – MLS First Kick
Quakes Players to Present Wells Fargo Goals for Education Check to San Francisco School
The San Jose Earthquakes will present a check to the America SCORES program at Bret Harte Elementary in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 2:45 p.m. PT. In addition, 15 other schools will receive funds from the program, including:
Castro Valley Soccer Club (Castro Valley), Irvington High School (Fremont), America SCORES-Longfellow Elementary (San Francisco), Rocketship Discovery Prep (San Jose), Santa Teresa Elementary (San Jose), Santa Cruz County FC Revolution (Santa Cruz), Aztecas Soccer Program (Watsonville), Winchester Soccer (San Jose), John Sinnot Elementary (Milpitas), Washington Open (Santa Clara), Golden State Futsal (Alum Rock), Sunnyvale Middle School (Sunnyvale), Metro Pal (San Jose), City Year (San Jose) and St. Francis of Assisi School (Concord).
Wells Fargo donated $250 to Goals for Education for each of the 40 goals the Earthquakes scored in 2011, raising $10,000 for the first-year program. Recipients were selected by a panel of Earthquakes representatives who judged requests based on overall need, available funds, and the total number of people that would benefit from the donation.
Earthquakes Launch Online Team Store
The San Jose Earthquakes launched an online team store last week and are offering fans a discount on all 2011 or earlier gear. Visit the store at www.earthquakes.yorder.us.
New Stadium Luxury Suites On Sale
The Earthquakes’ one-of-a kind luxury suites for the club’s new stadium are on sale now. For photos and more information about the suites or to place a deposit, call 408-556-7700 or visit www.sjearthquakes.com/newstadium.
Unlike any other experience in American professional sports, the suites will place fans directly next to the field with private bar and lounge access just yards from the action. Suites include: 17 seats with six additional tickets for all stadium events, in-suite catering, private bar and lounge area with a High Definition television. Suite holders will also have the ability to customize the interior and will enjoy year-round access to the suite for corporate events for client meetings.
2012 Season Opener
For the fourth consecutive season, the Earthquakes will host a game on MLS Opening Day on March 10, 2012 at Buck Shaw Stadium. Times, opponents, and national broadcast information for these games will be included in the entire regular season schedule which will be announced upon its completion in the coming weeks. Each club will play 34 games in the 2012 MLS Regular Season.
Quakes President David Kaval’s Office Hours
Earthquakes President David Kaval’s office hours will continue during the offseason. Fans can drop by his office at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220 in Santa Clara, Calif. Mondays between 3 and 5 p.m. PT. Participants will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.
2012 Season Tickets on Sale
Season tickets for the San Jose Earthquakes’ 2012 campaign are now on sale. Packages include 20 games at a significantly discounted rate as well as a bevy of exclusive season ticket benefits. Prices start at $2,300 for Netsuite VIP On-Field seats and are as affordable as $260 in the Supporters Section. For more information about pricing, payment plans and more, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/season-tickets or call an Earthquakes sales rep at 408-556-7700.
